Tryouts are more stressful for parents than they are for the athletes. We have to remind ourselves that no matter where everyone lands this upcoming season, it is likely going to be a great year. 2014/15 coaches at each level have done a lot of research on which players are likely to win a spot on their respective teams, but that does not make tryouts unnecessary. Many times there are a couple of players vying for one position on a team and other times a player will step up and perform extremely well making a case for himself as a candidate. This blog is intended for the players to read and my hope is that it will maximize their chances of success!

Top ways to do to be noticed

DRILLS

1. Do the drill properly (LISTEN TO THE INSTRUCTIONS)

2. Be first in line

3. Go 100% speed ALL the time (better to fall than go 90%)

4. Do not cheat

5. Be ready for the whistle (bend knees and explode on whistle)

6. Shoot as hard as possible (EVERY TIME) and HIT THE NET.

Scrimmage

1. Be Aggressive – it is the number one thing NOTICED by coaches

2. Backchecking is NOTICED

3. Use your dekes (no dump ins)

4. Be first to ALL pucks (race the other team and YOUR teammates, get the puck and keep it)

4. Find a way to shoot at the net (don’t always pick the safe play back down around the boards)

Wingers

1. Get ready on faceoffs (help center win draws)

2. Get to boards early for breakout pass from defensemen, stick in position

3. Get wide to accept pass from center while skating near 100%

4. Win puck battles in offensive zone

5. Use your body to protect the puck

Center

1. Be first to face-off circle – Win every faceoff

2. Stick on the ice and yell for passes from wingers

3. Talk on the ice (coaches can hear you)

4. Hard passes to wingers

5. Make creative plays, try your dekes

Goalies

1. Keep focused

2. Rotate in to get YOUR shots

3. Be aggressive – come out of your net (coaches notice this)

4. Play your OWN game – did I mention keep focused?

Making the jump UP

If you win a spot on a team that is a level up from the one you played last season – I have some advice for you. You likely earned your spot on the team through hard work. The difference between levels is very minimal and I want to players that move up that they belong on the team and that they NEED to carry the confidence early that they not only belong, but instead believe that you will likely become an impact player. The earlier you believe that, the earlier you will begin having success at the next level.

Staying at the same level

If you stay at the same level you played last season it should be your goal to move up the depth chart on your team. Be the player that the coach needs to put on the ice during the last minute of a game when your team is down one goal.

Going down a level

If you get cut and go down a level – keep your head up. There are a lot of good players on your new team and you should focus on trying to be the top producer of this team. Likely you will be counted on to be a leader of the team and in many ways the coaching staff will be counting on your experience to help the team have success. Take this as an opportunity to show teammates everything you learned last season.

Parents:

I often get asked about tryouts and particularly this question comes up: should I tell my son to be more selfish with the puck? The answer is sort of. My advice to my son will be this: If you have a chance and have some speed – make a play or a deke. If you get the puck down low in the offensive zone – keep it and see if you can beat somebody out of the corner. (Nothing like a nice pass back to the defenseman though. Or a nice pass to your winger as you are coming through the neutral zone.) So if you see your son is NOT being selfish enough – tell him that is ok.

If he is being too selfish – tell him that coaches notice nice passes and good smart hockey plays.

Other

Try NOT to sharpen skates on the way to tryouts. Newly sharpened skates make it difficult to stop quickly and it takes some time to soften the sharpness. No new equipment either – you want your player to be comfortable as possible. Eat a good, healthy meal more than 2 hours before the tryout. Get to bed early this week. If your son wants to do well, he shouldn’t balk at this one. Get to tryouts early – often long lines and payment of $10 registration fees takes time. Register. If you did not play in Oakville last year, likely all eyes will be on your player. Coaches like to give the kids that they don’t know the longest opportunity to shine. Make this your opportunity.

]]>http://sportstrainingacademy.ca/sta-promo-shoot/feed/0Oakville and Mississauga’s Sports Training Facilityhttp://sportstrainingacademy.ca/oakville-and-mississaugas-excellent-sports-training-facility/
http://sportstrainingacademy.ca/oakville-and-mississaugas-excellent-sports-training-facility/#commentsMon, 25 Mar 2013 18:24:25 +0000http://sportstrainingacademy.ca/?p=542Welcome to the Sports Training Academy. Out facility has over 25,000 square feet of the latest in training equipment. We offer Hockey Training, Recreational Gymnastics, Softball training, Fitness, baseball, batting cages and golf. Take a look at all of our facilities and drop by any time you like. We also have extensive sports camp programs for athletes of all levels.
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